A Moment for the Kindness of Strangers

The kindness of strangers over the last 48 hours or so has floored me--to the point that I can no longer keep the gratitude to myself. For anyone who needs some faith restored in the humanity around them today...

To the five people who pushed my car up a hill in a snow storm: you started as two. And when the neighbours, shovelling their own way out of the snow, noticed that two was not enough, they dropped what they were doing and flanked you both to help. I did not get a chance to say a proper thank you, but I heard you cheering along with me as you gave one last push into the intersection. ...I just want you to know, I made it home.

To the woman who helped me remove a shard of glass from my finger: I don't even know what you look like. I tend to get tunnel vision when I'm focused on a critical task; so as I stood at the sink in a busy public bathroom, all I was focused on was my finger. But I heard your voice beside me--encouraging me to squeeze the cut for you so you could help remove the glass. I know I could have worked it out on my own, but you saw a way to make it easier. I didn't see your face, but I saw your gentle fingers come in alongside mine, and gently wipe the shard away. "There! We got it!" you exclaimed. The accomplishment was as much yours as mine in the end. I heard you dispose of the paper towel, finally in a head space where I could look up to see you. But you had already turned away towards the door--and then you were gone. I just want you to know, tending another's wound--no matter how small--is a brave thing in my mind. Thank you for your bravery.

To the Airbnb guest who insisted on helping me clear my driveway: when I said, "1900 square feet," I was not exaggerating, but you didn't seem to mind. You grabbed the shovel while I started up my snow thrower--you did your thing, I did mine. I may have taken on most of the surface area, but you tackled all the stairs and the uneven path to the back gate. As far as I'm concerned, that's like voluntarily taking the heel of a loaf of bread; I just want you to know, I am extremely grateful.

To the lady who gave me her parking pass: I'd been pretty much go-go-go all day. And at the end of the afternoon, with one meeting still left, I stood in front of the parking lot pay machine, pausing to consider my options on the screen. There is something to be said for a pause in a busy day. As you started your car, your voice cut through the traffic around me, "Do you want my pass?" Thank you for sharing. I just want you to know, it may have felt like a little thing, but it was a meaningful thing.

Source unknown

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Happiness

“The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise.

It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us.”

- Ashley Montagu

I am grateful for the moments of happiness that 'seize' my heart and my attention. Each of these moments strung together over time render deeper feelings of joy, peace, and belonging.

And while happiness is not an all-the-time feeling, it is the proof that uncomfortable feelings such as sorrow, frustration, grief, or disappointment are also not all-the-time feelings. As we come around the corner of anger or hurt, a moment of happiness may be waiting to seize us again.

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Sharing

Sharing is caring! ...Unless you're a gingerbread man, lol!

A shared meal, shared conversation, shared joy, shared laughter, shared peace.

#IAmGrateful

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Weakness

You can interpret weakness however you want here. Faults. Mistakes. Imperfections. The things we just can't help, no matter how hard we try. Everything about us that's broken.

I've done battle with all of that this year, and to be honest, I would not say 'grateful' has been a go-to word to describe my feelings about any of it.

Sure, there is an understanding that our brokenness and imperfections are a part of this complex thing we call being human. And even acceptance that I will come face-to-face with them in life's arena sometimes.

But gratitude...?

...And yet...

I am grateful for my weaknesses--in a way. (I had to pause after typing that, just to make sure I believe my own words.) It's not the same... "flavour"... of gratitude I would ascribe to other facets of life. But, I do recognize that my flaws are a part of what make me who I am. Just as we often talk about how our stronger, more desirable attributes are unique to us, so are our imperfections. No one has the exact same combination of imperfections and broken pieces as me. And so as much as I hate them some days, as much as they leave me with my foot in my mouth, or overthinking things, or being completely oblivious to what's going on--I am still grateful for them. They keep me humble; they challenge me to grow; they help me recognize my strengths.

I am also grateful for those who love me--flawed and broken and all. Those who think I'm worth it not despite my imperfections and weaknesses, but with them and because of them.

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Kindness

"Throw kindness around like confetti!" - Unknown

I am so grateful for the kindness I encounter in this world. It makes the hard days a little gentler, and the great days even better.

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Sunshine

I love sunshine. I grew up in Canada’s sunniest city

(c) Photos by Gina

, Calgary, which sees sunshine an average of 333 days a year. Edmonton comes in second, seeing sunshine 325 days out of the year. Pair that with the wide prairie sky for the sun's rays to shine in every direction, and it's no surprise that I love the light so much.

Even on days when it is -30C, the sky can be bright with light. And there's even a word to describe the warmth we feel from the sun in the cold of winter: apricity. ...I'm pretty sure someone out here on the prairies came up with that one, lol.

Especially at this time of the year when the sun is low in the sky and shorter-lasting, I am so grateful for its shine. Along with air and water, it is a source of life and energy. It boosts our well-being both mentally and physiologically. And it quite literally makes things sparkle.

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Quiet Time

It's been a busy week. Fast-paced and full. I am over-peopled, and I have been looking forward to today.

It's a rare weekend with no guests, and I am grateful for the quiet of the house. I sleep in, laying in the softness of morning under my duvet until my stomach demands some breakfast. I don't even want to put on any music. It is a day for lounging around in sweatpants, an old hoodie, and thick, cozy socks; I am the epitome of fashion.

Tomorrow I return to the regular hum of the work week. But for now, I'm on my third cup of tea, and I think I may have found a new favourite author.

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Beauty

I am grateful for the beauty that is everywhere. A vibrant sunset. The vast expanse of sky. A child's innocence. A friend's soul.

And at the same time, a lone flower in the dirt. An old abandoned house. The texture of cracked paint.

And the richness of colour found even in dying things.

(c) Photos by Gina

"Blessed are those who see beautiful things

in humble places where others see nothing."

- Unknown

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Simplicity

"The point of simple living: A soft place to land,

a wide margin of error, room to breathe."

- Leo Babauta

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Evening

My mind is full at the end of the day, having explored a thousand different directions since waking. The next few days promise to be more of the same; and so I am grateful for the chance to pause, catch my breath, and settle into the quiet of evening.

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Words

I have the utmost, heartfelt appreciation for the extensive vocabulary housed within the cavities of my personal lexicon. To be able to utilize the riches of the English language to create vivid imagery around a concept; to express an emotion swelling within my heart; or to simply emphasize a point worthy of your cognitive consideration.

Or, put more simply:

Words. They're awesome.

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Nature

Even at -20C, nature still moves about, inviting us into moments of wonder, delight, and awe. I am so grateful.

 

(c) Photos by Gina

 

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Liquid

(c) Photos by Gina

For liquid that nourishes;

that revitalizes;
hydrates.

For liquid that warms,
and liquid that cools.

For liquid that cleans,
that soothes,
that cures.

For liquid that smells good;
feels good;
and tastes good too.

#IAmGrateful

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Laughter

Let's show gratitude through photographs, she said.
It'll be easy, she said.

Well, on a quiet Saturday at home, it's tricky to take an authentic photo that shows laughter.* So I went on a hunt to make a collage, and discovered that it's also hard to find photos that show laughter.**

Not because I don't spend time laughing--as serious as I can be, I do value a sense of humour and fun. No; it's more because moments of laughter exist to me in memories, not photographs. Laughter is one of those things you lose yourself in completely, and no one generally thinks to pull out their phone or camera in those moments--we are too caught up in the joy and fun.

And I think this is a good thing--that there are experiences of such authentic delight that they are solely tucked away in the hearts and memories of those who experienced it together.

I am so grateful for laughter--for the jokes, quirky moments, and playful experiences that make me laugh till my sides hurt and my eyes water. And for those who have shared in those moments with me. They are the stories shared around the table, sometimes for years; sometimes making us laugh all over again.

"People with a good sense of humour
have a better sense of life."
- Unknown

*I had this same conundrum with "Excitement."
**Smiles are everywhere, but that's not quite the same.

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Health

For a strong, healthy body,
a resilient, healthy mind,
and a fierce, healthy heart.

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Routine

As much as society romanticizes the idea of us being carefree, adventurous, try-ers of new things always, we are all—to varying degrees—creatures of habit. Brain science shows that too much unpredictability is stressful and unhealthy—both in our routines and our relationships.

So I am grateful for routine. For waking up each morning in a warm home; for always-hot showers; the perfect cup of coffee; for a great job, at a great place, working with great people; for time at home to sit and eat and be still; and to return to my little oasis to rest at the end of the day.

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Breakfast

I choose cereal six days out of seven, but I am grateful that I have the option to choose at all. And though I'm rarely actually hungry at the time I need to eat breakfast most days, it keeps me from being a hangry hot mess by 10am--and for that, we should all be grateful!

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Gift

At first, I thought I might get all philosophical and abstract with today’s challenge word—y’know, the gift of time, gift of love, gift of life... But I feel like I’ve been living in the deep and philosophical a lot lately, and sometimes even I am just grateful for things at face value—like small gifts from a niece and nephew who know me just too well.

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Experience

7 Wonders has been a favourite board game amongst the grown-ups for years. What a delight to pass down some of that experience to a new protege this weekend!

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Sunset

Grateful. SO grateful. For the bright glow, the warm light, the rich and beautiful end to a day—regardless of what that came before. Sky and clouds and sun working together to create this artistic expression of physics that spills forth in several colours.

For the 4:30 winter sunsets that make the drive home less dreary; and the 10:30 summer sunsets that tuck my friends and I in around the campfire.

For the eyesight to see this daily splendour, regardless of where I am in the world; and the luxury of capturing it on a camera to hold onto forever and share—#IAmGrateful.